"Shine On, Harvest Moon"

Harvest Moon

~~~ This weekend's full Moon has a special name--the Harvest Moon. It's the full Moon closest to the northern autumnal equinox. In years past, farmers depended on the light of the Harvest Moon to gather ripening crops late into the night. Post-Edison, we appreciate it mainly for its beauty. Be alert in the nights ahead for Harvest Moon halos, coronas and 'dogs.

The harvest moon is the first full moon after the first frost.

The Harvest moon is a legend in Norse mythology, it is said to be the most powerful of the Moons granting Loki's blessing for a strong harvest and plenty. The Harvest moon is often mistaken for the modern day Hunter's moon.

NOTE the SPECIAL Flowers on the table from my BEST FRIEND!!!

Sweetie is Awesome!

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There is something special about all seasons, at least for me. Fall brings the harvest of many foods from the garden.

I especially love to grill any time of year, but this particular occasion was this past week. A woman’s party and we all had a BLAST!

"Shine On, Harvest Moon" is the name of a popular early-1900s song credited to Jack Norworth and his wife Nora Bayes. It was one of a series of moon related Tin Pan Alley songs of the era. The song was debuted by the composers in the Ziegfeld Follies of 1908 to great acclaim. It became a pop standard, still very familiar some 40 years later, and continues to be performed and recorded occasionally into the 21st century.

Chorus Oh, Shine on, shine on, harvest moon Up in the sky; I ain't had no lovin' Since January, February, June or July. Snow time ain't no time to stay Outdoors and spoon; Shine on, shine on, harvest moon, For me and my gal.

Stuff is POPPING out Everywhere ;)

Flee!

Flee fly flow!

Vista,

cumala, cumala Vista.

Oh, no, no, no, not the Vista

Eeny-meeny-desimeeny...

A new Lilac Lilacs that have been here since this home was built @ 120 years ago Lilacs I transplanted from the Niece of the original owners lived in what is now our home

Lilacs over Sarah's Koi Pond

Poppy

Iris almost ready to burst forth

Ferns

YUMMY! Check it out!

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Facts on Fiddleheads

Shrimp and Fiddlehead Medley

Purple asparagus originated from a region around Albenga, Italy. This "cultivar" is known as Violetto d/Albenga. Although the spears are of deep purple color, the ferns are actually green. The farmers in Albenga region propagate the plants using seeds from open pollination. Seeds are usually collected from vigorous female plants producing large spears. ~~

Purple hybrids produce larger spears but fewer in number per plant than the green hybrids Green, White and Purple!

To keep the purple in asparagus, add acid (lemon juice or vinegar) to its cooking water. The acid anchors the red pigment, anthocyanin. If you don't do this, the color fades to green--a bit extravagant, because you pay a premium for the purple. Dishes that maximize purple asparagus's color maximize its value, as in the purple, white, and green asparagus platter and the citrus salad. To keep the purple in asparagus, add acid (lemon juice or vinegar) to its cooking water. The acid anchors the red pigment, anthocyanin. If you don't do this, the color fades to green--a bit extravagant, because you pay a premium for the purple. Dishes that maximize purple asparagus's color maximize its value, as in the purple, white, and green asparagus platter and the citrus salad. ~~~~~~~~

Purple Asparagus recipes

Spring Tabbouleh Recipe

used it raw here.

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Blueberries the kids called them boo babies the picture shows the blossom that sure looks like pantalets to me

Sweet Shrub Scientific Name

Calycanthus floridus

Common NameSweet shrub; Sweet Betsy, Carolina allspice

SWEET SHRUB (Strawberry Bush, Sweet Shade)Sweet Shrub is native to the Appalachian stream banks of the Smokies, where it is also known as Carolina Allspice, Strawberry Bush, Sweet Shade, and Bubby Blossom. Women used to place the flowers in their bodices as a perfume, hence the name "Bubby Blossom". Sweet shrub was once commonly found as an ornamental around colonial homes, especially south of the Mason-Dixon line. Several large bushes can fill a small yard with the combined fragrance of strawberry, cantaloupe, spiced apple, and burgundy wine. Sweet shrub has a distinctive maroon-red flower about 2" across. It is pollinated by small beetles that were the first pollinators of flowering plants and were instrumental in the evolution of flowering plants, long before bees and flies appeared on the scene. When the flower first opens it has the fragrance of spiced apples as it opens over a period of 7 to 10 days. Flowers first appear in mid-March with a flush of flowers in April, and a trailing out through May. Even the leaves are fragrant when rubbed, and in the fall they turn a sunny yellow. In colonial times the cinnamon-flavored bark was used as a seasoning. Sweet shrubs are ideal for planting close to the house near a window where the fragrance may drift indoors. Plant additional plants by a favor-ite path or sitting area. Will flower splendidly in full sun, but is best adapted to light shade. Flowers in 2 to 3 years from seed. Medicinal: Useful for damp spleen. An excellent herb for moving stagnant chi. The leaves, twigs, and buds have diaphoretic properties. An emmenagogue, and possibly has some anti-viral activity.

The seed pod

From our Garden ~ Happy Earth Day

Today’s Harvest

Earth Day is a name used for two different observances, both held annually during spring in the northern hemisphere, and autumn in the southern hemisphere. These are intended to inspire awareness of and appreciation for the Earth's environment. The United Nations celebrates an Earth Day each year on the March equinox, a tradition which was founded by peace activist John McConnell in 1969. A second Earth Day, which was founded by US politician Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in in the late 1960s, is celebrated in many countries each year on April 22.

Earth Day Recipes

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Angel Hair Pasta with Asparagus

Originally submitted by S. Butters and modified by Kaboose.com Enjoy!

FULL to capacity

Again seedlings in the cold frame

~~ Seeds for Hubby’s garden~~ They are only on their second repotting and the cold frame is bulging at the seams.

Hubby like to do most of the Vegetable gardening...

He is good at it...

I enjoy doing most of the Flower gardening...

...But I do the tomatoes...

...sometimes Garlic...

and lettuces

I am no match for his gift at beans, corn ,broccoli

peas and carrots ;)

Surprising Blossoms ;=)

Out of the ordinary bizarre & brilliant Blossoms

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It all started quite innocently…

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Gee should I add on a bright and sunny day?

There I was planting two new Blueberry bushes ,,,

The berry bushes are at the eastern end of our Veggie Garden… Blueray Blueberry ~~ Vaccinium ‘Blueberry’ '' 'Blueray' grows to heights of 4 to 5' and the same in diameter. This is a midseason, very hardy, upright vigorous bush that produces large, light-blue, highly tart fruit that ripens 1 to 2 weeks after the cultivar, 'Bluetta'. This deciduous shrub is dense with an upright, multiple-branched growth habit. Leaves are elliptical, and can be toothed or entire, to 3 inches long, turning red or yellow in the fall. White, sometimes-pink tinged flowers to 1/2 inch across are held in pendant terminal racemes. Flowers are followed by edible, sweet, round, deep blue berries to 1/2 inch across. Many varieties are available, check for the ones that are best suited to your local area. Blueberries love acid soil. My Sweetie had just planted his Peach Trees in the Orchard that is just beyond the Veggie garden, slightly North East '' Prunus persica 'Golden Jubilee' (Peach)

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The peach is the most adaptable of all fruit trees for home gardens. When planting, they should be spaced to allow a spread of 20 to 25 feet. At 3 or 4 years of age they begin to bear large crops and reach peak productivity at 8 to 12 years. Peaches need clear, hot weather during their growing season and require well-drained soil as well as a regular fertilizing program. They also require heavier pruning than any other fruit trees to maintain size and encourage new growth. Most peach varieties are self fertile, not requiring a second tree. Cannot tolerate extreme winter cold or late frost. Peach leaf curl, brown rot, peach scab and peach tree borer can be a problem.

Ummmmmmmmmmmmm this is the oddest thing I have ever seen… Must be a Mitten tree… BUT Look another ODD tree, must be the Kite Tree [I tried to fly my kite today, but alas the wind was just not up to it… '''' The bag that holds my kite is in this tree ;)

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Annie shared this link that I feel needs to be here!!!

~~ ~~Thanks Annie ~~

SPRING MODE

Soon so soon it will be APRIL…then there is APRIL FOOL’S DAY

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I already got my Sweetie two new Peach trees for his gift, for me I got two new Blue berry bushes. Tomorrow we get to PLAY IN THE DIRT. Whoooo Hooooooooooooooooo

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GOAL? Transplanting berry bushes 10 feet to a new location, adding the 2 new ones I got, planting the Peach trees, restoring the fence around the veggie garden and I am going to re pot some plant lings to a bigger pot and place in the cold frame…

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Not time yet to plant much in the garden except perhaps the peas…but first we need to be sure the ducks and geese cannot get in to eat our work.

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More daylight better weather means we are outside more, which I so love… Which means less time to blog, but I will when I can

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Here are a few pictures of seedlings that have reseeded themselves. They are a combo of Violas and pansies… HOW KEWL is that… Growing pansies and viola flowers The pansy is a hybrid originally developed in Europe. Although it is technically a perennial, it only grows well from seed the first year and after than it deteriorates quickly. They are usually grown as annuals or biennials. Pansies and violas are from the same family and are grown the same way. Pansies generally grow about 8 inches tall with delicate 2 to 3 inch flowers of five overlapping petals in every color and marking imaginable. The similar viola grows 6 to 8 inches tall with smaller 1 1/2 inch blooms and the color selection is not quite as broad as with the pansy. Violas have smaller flowers but they generally bloom longer than pansies.

More info here!

Heartsease (Viola tricolor) is a common European wild flower, growing as an annual or short-lived perennial. It has been introduced into North America, where it has spread widely, and is known as the Johnny Jump Up (though this name is also applied to similar species such as the Yellow Pansy). It is the progenitor of the cultivated Pansy, and is therefore sometimes called Wild Pansy; before the cultivated Pansies were developed, "Pansy" was an alternative name for the wild form.

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ABOUT

April Fools' Day: Origin & History

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The uncertain origins of a foolish day April Fool's Day is a "for-fun-only" observance. Nobody is expected to buy gifts or to take their "significant other" out to eat in a fancy restaurant. Nobody gets off work or school. It's simply a fun little holiday, but a holiday on which one must remain forever vigilant, for he may be the next April Fool!

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April Fools' Day or All Fools' Day, though not a holiday in its own right, is a notable day celebrated in many countries on April 1. The day is marked by the commission of hoaxes and other practical jokes of varying sophistication on friends, enemies and neighbors, or sending them on fools' errands, the aim of which is to embarrass the gullible. In some countries, April Fools' jokes (also called April Fools) are only made before noon on 1 April.[1]

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Said to be originated with the adoption of the new Gregorian calendar in place of the old Julian calendar in 1582, April Fool's Day or All Fool's Day, was once used to be celebrated as the New Year's Day. It evolved into its present form through several centuries and influenced by several cultures and has limited itself to be the fun and hilarity associated with Spring.

Here it is already almost Friday ;)

Why ALMOST? Well I do not consider it the weekend until my Sweetie is HOME! Then he is here, physically and mentally. No competition with work, well Most times that is. Last night it began raining, no biggie right but then Thunder and lightning. Ye Gads I thought it was to be winter. The dinner last night was great, CAUSE I dinna have to fix it, serve it or clean it up. So as I ramble on, I leave you with some awesome pictures of sunny skies from earlier this week.

The sky was awesome for sure, my abilities to capture them not quite as awesome.

Now back to reading my new book, which by the by after 6 pages is a total HOOT! This is even better as the Seed and Flower catalogues continue to bombard our mailbox.

Excerpts! @@@@@@@@@@@@@

PLUS RECIPES!

The College Football Bowl games are over. The Writers Strike is NOT over. The Primary caucuses have begun. The first candidate to receive a preset majority number of delegate votes becomes the party's presidential candidate. The candidate selected to run for president then selects a vice presidential candidate. @@@@@@@@@@@@

2008 Presidential Primary Calendar!

Super Bowl XLII is pending: February 3. Umm with the writers strike wonder if the commercials will be any good? Heyya after College Football I am saturated.

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In-between reading the book I am making Italian Minestrone Soup. Italian Minestrone Soup with Orzo!

Exhilarating

Have I just gotten so silly over a minor project finished? Does this mean I have a Potter Potted Area? Or could it be that putting the finishing touches on a project are exhilarating? Sometimes hard work and the remains of an acking back makes one silly… ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Playing in the Dirt AGAIN

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This Plant name made me chuckle… Crocus speciosus 'Albus' Remember Albus Dumbledore? Then the word speciosus, tee hee. Reminded me of one of the SPELLS used by Hermione Granger to find out more of Harry's Advanced Potion-Making book in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Pronunciation: speh-see-AHLIS reh-VEL-ee-oh Specialis Revelio

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Ok OK close but no Cigar.

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On a more serious note. We need rain………………………………………

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First a new garden tool that I am finding handier than a Hip Pocket on a shirt. ~~~~~~~~~ ROTO Planter by Yard Butler

~~~~~~~~~~~~ Yard Butler's garden augers fit any cordless drill 3/8" or larger, digging holes with the ease of a power tool. Garden augers are useful for planting bulbs, aerating trees and shrubs, weeding, fertilizing, drilling under sidewalks, putting in fence posts and dozens of other applications.

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These were the bulbs that were planted.

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1. Lycoris aurea is the golden spider lily and originates from limestone areas of China. The spidery flowers face upwards and are a orange-cadmium yellow. It can often be a difficult species to get into flower. It requires a hot dry resting period during summer to promote flowering. Dressings of potash and lime are also helpful. Lycoris are splendid autumn-flowering bulbs when their requirements are met, and make excellent garden subjects and provide a good supply of cut flowers. Photo by Bill Dijk.

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2. Lycoris radiata var. pumila is the red spider lily, and has much reflexed, recurved red flowers, wavy on the margins, with long, exerted filaments on tall, naked stems in late summer. Long-lasting and popular with the ladies in their floral art arrangements. Photo by Bill Dijk.

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3. Leucojum aestivumCommon Names: summer snowflake, giant snowflakeFamily: Amaryllidaceae (amaryllis Family)

Site Here

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4. speciosus 'Conqueror' - very large, deep, sky blue flowers; 5"-6"; early-mid fall; zones 4-9.

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5. CROCUS Kotschyanus - Fall Blooming Crocus are similar to their spring cousins and flower when not much else is blooming. Best in a sunny location; naturalizes well. The leaves turn a golden yellow. Flowers are large rose-pink with yellow centers. 10 bulbs size 9+cm. zones 5-9.

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6. Crocus speciosus Albus; Crocus speciosus 'Albus' is more than just a white form of the species. This charmer won an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society. Its blooms are borne on yellowish green stalks and open to reveal a yellow heart inside. Common Name: Fall-blooming Crocus Hardiness Zone: 4 - 8 S / 4 - 9 W

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The source of my mirth!